Graham Pearcey

Date: 25 May 2025

Well I only managed two league games this season, but at least they were both victories for Bournemouth.

Still recovering from “shin splints”, I didn’t fancy the long walks to and from train stations – and the trains were running a reduced service anyway – but I successfully managed to get to and from the car park with no discomfort.

The only seat I’d been able to purchase was in the third row of the Ted Mac stand. Well at least I’d be well placed to see any goals at that end. But unfortunately, unlike the Arsenal away match, this time no goals were scored at my end – both were at the far end!

Lewis Cook being suspended (and Scott and Christie injured), Smith was back as captain, and Tavernier was playing in a deeper role than usual. Brooks was in for Cook and Senesi for Huijsen.

There wasn’t much to “write home about” in the first half, but I thought Tavernier and Brooks were the best players and had the best scoring chances. Evanilson hit the post. Half time, 0-0.

Much of the second half was uneventful too. At idle times the Ted Mac supporters chanted for Kepa to “give us a wave”. But he never did. The cries changed to “Kepa doesn’t like us”. Iraola used all five allowable substitutes – Jebbison being temporarily employed in the wide right position before moving to his more familiar role. Soler and Winterburn (named as Academy Player of the Season before kick-off) were given more attacking roles than usual. I feared that the game had 0-0 written all over it – but fortunately I was wrong. Semenyo scored twice: from close range in a crowded penalty area in the 74th minute, then from distance in the 88th. I’ve now got the whole summer to continue my recovery, so hopefully I’ll see rather more matches next season – if I can get around the fact that I have virtually no loyalty points now!

The team lined up as follows at the start of the game:

Kepa;
Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez;
Adams, Tavernier;
Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo;
Evanilson

By the end the line-up was:

Kepa;
Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez;
Adams, Scott;
Semenyo, Winterburn, Soler;
Jebbison

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